The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-12
THE IRISH QUESTION.


Sexton Discusses the Parnel Amendment,
Which the House Rejects by 362 to :46.
LONDON Feb. 11.--In the House of Commons
Thomas Sexton, Parnellte, resuming the de-
bate on Parneils amendment, taunted the gov
ernment on its inability to rule ireland without
the assistance of an army as largo as the one
needed in India. Parnelrs amendment, Sex
ton contended, raised questions of vital practi-
cal Importance. the whole policy of tho gov.
ernment in Ireland, whether called reform of
the criminal procedure law, OF coer-
cion, hinged upon the relations be-
tween the Irish landlords and tenants
All offers on the part of tenants to arbitrate the
question Of rents had been spurned; the tenants
now stood with their backs against the wall, de-
flying oppression, even the oppression of law, be-
cause their position was morally impregnable
Tenants everywhere in Ireland were willing to
pay fair rents. The speaker believed th at of all
the deposits banked under the "Plan of Cam paIgn
by small farmers, which represented the III most
they were able to pay. were put into common
fund, the sum would not pay three months
rent ,sous on the h..,a: basis demanded ma by the
tackled Lord Hartington's argument that
general emigration would remedy the distress
prevailing in Ireland. The real remedy, he said,
was to be found in securing to tho people the
more OF his countrymen to emigrate would meet
passionate. fierce resistance. Only an Irish
legislature would solve the final question of dual
ownership OF land. Every day testified to the
governments gross ignorance of Ireland and it's
amazing incapacity to deal with Irish affairs
Heappealed with confidence to the newly -enfran-
chised democracy of England to end the mseries
of Ireland in the only possible way, binding the
two countries together in heart feeling, giving
strength to both.
Henry Matthews, Home Secretary, said no
sophistry would ever satisfy the nation. No
person could, at pleasure, reduce the rent he
contracted to pay. thereby becoming the Judge of
his own cause. It was part and parcel of the
"Plan of Campaign" for trustees to get the
| money of tenants. hold it for the purpose of ex-
ercising coercion and preventing payments of
rent. The plan involved degradation of the
moral sense of Ireland. Mr. Parnel was re-
| sponsible for the introduction into public life
| of the Irish idea that everyday obligations are
| not binding because onerous: that Irish
rebels warning against the Queen were TO be
| pitied. The speaker had only contempt for
| those petty pilferers who. under the "Plan of
I Campaign" were running away with the land
| lords money, leaving the tenants still liable. 1t
| was no want of sympathy with the i'm povershed
F! tenants that made the government condemn the
| doctrine that pauperism gave title to property
| The government would be guilty of grave dere-
| fiction of duty if it failed to enforce tho law
against persons because their position was one
| OF hardship. enforcement of law and order was
| the sole foundation of civilized society Gov
ernment would not be deferred from vinflcating
| the law because the name coercion" was used
| After further debate, the amendment was de-
| feated-352 to 246